Central Hudson, Fortis reach deal with PSC

POUGHKEEPSIE — Customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. will now get more of a break when the local utility is acquired by Canadian company Fortis.

Fortis and CH Energy Group, Central Hudson's parent company, will now provide about $50 million in customer benefits. They originally proposed $20 million.

The new benefits come from the companies agreeing to write-off expenses for recent storms customers would otherwise have to pay for. The companies are also putting aside more money for system improvements and rate deferrals.